Santa Monica State Beach North extends from the iconic pier to the city boundary with Pacific Palisades, offering a quieter alternative to the bustling south beach area. This section features the original Muscle Beach with outdoor fitness equipment, plus numerous volleyball courts that host both casual players and professional tournaments. The wide beach has soft, […]
San Clemente State Beach sits beneath scenic bluffs in the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” offering a mile of sandy shoreline away from urban development. A campground atop the bluff provides overnight accommodations with ocean views, connected to the beach by a pedestrian underpass beneath the railroad tracks. The beach is popular for swimming and […]
La Jolla Shores Beach is a mile-long crescent of fine sand with gentle waves, making it one of San Diego’s most family-friendly beaches. It borders the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, a marine sanctuary with abundant sea life that creates exceptional snorkeling, diving, and kayaking opportunities. The beach features separate swimming and surfing zones, with […]
Avila Beach is a sheltered cove protected by the surrounding hills and Point San Luis, creating warmer water temperatures and calmer conditions than many Central Coast beaches. The south-facing beach spans about a half-mile along a rebuilt, pedestrian-friendly downtown with restaurants and shops fronting the sand. Avila’s 1,685-foot pier offers fishing without a license and […]
Natural Bridges State Beach is named for the naturally formed arch in the offshore rock, the last remaining of three that once stood in the area. This Santa Cruz beach is renowned for its remarkable tidepools exposed during low tide, containing a rich diversity of marine life including sea stars, crabs, and anemones. The beach […]
Coronado Dog Beach offers a slice of paradise for canine companions and their humans at the north end of Coronado Beach. This off-leash beach allows dogs to run freely, splash in the waves, and socialize with other pets year-round. The wide, sandy beach provides ample space for both active play and relaxation, with the backdrop […]
Crystal Cove State Park encompasses 3.2 miles of pristine coastline and 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness. The park features several beaches separated by rocky outcroppings, with Moro Beach being the largest and most accessible. A unique aspect of this park is the Historic District with 46 vintage rustic coastal cottages from the 1930s and 40s, […]
Manhattan Beach offers 2.1 miles of clean, wide sandy beach in an upscale coastal community. The beach is anchored by its 928-foot concrete pier, housing a small aquarium at its end and providing fishing opportunities. Beach volleyball enthusiasts flock here, as the beach is considered the birthplace of beach volleyball with numerous courts available and […]
Santa Cruz Main Beach, also known as Boardwalk Beach, is the lively heart of Santa Cruz’s coastline, fronting the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park with its vintage wooden roller coaster and other rides. This wide, sandy beach offers gentle waves perfect for swimming and beginner surfing, while the adjacent San Lorenzo River mouth […]
Carpinteria State Beach is known as one of the safest beaches in California with its gentle slope, calm waters, and south-facing orientation that protects it from strong currents. This mile-long beach features extensive tide pools at its southern end where visitors can observe sea stars, octopi, and anemones at low tide. The beach also contains […]